Chapter 4

Being left alone to my thoughts in an empty house is not something I'm used to… I'm used to having a set schedule that I have to follow until I collapse on my bed at the end of the day. I'm also used to being around people all the time, this alone time is making me feel a little homesick- much to my surprise. Thinking about home I realize that I haven't checked my email since I've been here.

I go up to my room, sit on my bed and pull my laptop onto my lap, settling in. I open my email client to find 4 new emails, one from Nathan, two from Cole and one from Ryan- this one I delete without even reading the subject line. I'm still too pissed at Ryan to even read what he said, after what he pulled in Africa I have no intention of speaking to him for a while.

First I open the one from Nathan- Nathan means well, I believe that he loves me, but I also believe that he has a hard time differentiating between the little girl he raised and the experiment he's dedicated the last 17 years of his life on. His email is short, asking how things are, if I'm safe, how we're adjusting and if Aiden is behaving himself. I respond politely telling him about school, how everyone has been kind and welcoming and how so far- Aiden is being pretty good. Not a chance would I tell him about my experience with Edward, the last thing that kid needs is for the government to pay him a visit.

While Nathan is very committed to his job and 'the experiment', Cole is loving and kind; he's the closest thing I've ever had to a parent. His first email was much the same as Nathans, just missing the questions making sure that Aiden was avoiding suspicion- he trusts us. His second email was from this morning, it was obvious that he was getting worried; I don't think that he and I had ever gone this long without talking before and I instantly felt guilty.

I started up an email to him telling him to relax; I promise I'm ok that I will tell him if I'm not. I tell him that my life is mundane, ordinary- just what I was looking for. He's worried that I can't support myself but I told him that the CIA gave me everything I needed to get by, they're making sure I'm happy because they know how close I was to taking off- they know that If I wanted, they would never find me.

I finished off the email and sent him my new cell phone number- new because I was afraid that my last phone had been bugged by the CIA (which it probably had), and told him that I won't be checking my email every day. I sent it and pushed my computer aside, looking at the clock I saw that it was 9:10pm but my mind was still racing so I decided to go for a run both to keep up my training and to tire myself out. By the time I got home it was after 10, I quickly showered and went to bed to restless dreams.

The next morning I left to go to school a little bit later as I slept through my alarm, I was surprised to see that the day was sunny and gorgeous which I knew was a rarity in this wet little town. My day was entirely uneventful and unexciting, this continued until I went to lunch and saw that the table the Cullens had been sitting at on Wednesday was empty- not a single one was there. I engaged in conversation with my new friends at the lunch table until a suitable amount of time had passed, then asked Jessica

'Are the Cullens not here today?

'Its sunny.' She responded matter of factly. 'They all go hiking when it's nice out, even their dad, the doctor.'

'Interesting.' I said, mulling it over.

I could see the boys going out and hiking, but neither of the girls really seemed the hiking type. I knew that I wouldn't be seeing Edward in Bio but I told Aiden to be quiet when we went in just in case. Of course this was unnecessary as his seat next to mine was empty. I found myself actually disappointed that he wasn't there, but why should I be disappointed? This boy could unravel everything I'm trying to build and yet I find myself drawn to him, almost needing to see him again.

The next day was the same, bright and sunny and of course- no Cullens, no Edward. I found that I was instantly in a bad mood as I walked into the cafeteria to see their empty table. It being Friday the group was talking about the beach trip the next day. Having never been to La Push we all agreed to meet at Mikes parents outdoors supply store and drive together.

The next morning I got up and dressed for the hike that we were going on; looking at my meager supply of clothes I realized that I definitely needed to go shopping soon if I didn't want to wear the same outfit twice a week. I got in my truck and drove out to Newton's, needing my GPS to show me the way even though it was only 12 minutes from my house.

I got there and saw Mike, Angela, Eric and Tyler standing outside of the store by (I assumed) Tyler's moms minivan that most of us would be driving in. Over the next few minutes while we waited and talked, the rest of the group trickled in and by 10:30 we were on our way. We parked in a small parking lot on the side of a backroad and started to hike to the beach. The hike was beautiful, leading through lush green foliage and eventually opening up to the ocean. We walked alongside beautiful tidal pools, I fell behind as I crouched down to peer into the beautiful natural aquarium beneath me and laugh as Aiden teased a crab playfully making it retreat back into its cave. We walked until we reached a beach with a few large driftwood logs placed around a huge fire pit with a moderately sized fire crackling within it. Around the fire were four young black haired, dark skinned kids from the reserve. I sat between Angela and one of the youngest boys there, probably only 14 or 15 who smiled at me as I sat.

His name was Jacob and he was the kind of person that you are just naturally drawn to, friendly and warm, when he asked a question you could tell he was genuinely curious and listened intently. He asked why I moved to forks and I told him the fabricated story that I was emancipated from my parents and moved here to get away from my old life. I was obviously uncomfortable talking about it and he didn't pry, thankfully.

My ears perked up as Lauren spoke, clearly too loud than was necessary and said to the group

'It's too bad no one thought to invite the Cullens…'

At this the older boy Sam looked up and with a dead expression just said 'The Cullens don't come here.' effectively ending the conversation making Lauren look uncomfortable. I turned to Jacob and asked 'Want to take a walk down the beach with me?' to which he said 'Sure!'

We made polite conversation for a few minutes before my curiosity got the best of me and I asked him what Sam meant about the Cullens not coming to the reservation. Jake looked uncomfortable and said

'I'm not really supposed to say…'

'C'mon,' I pushed 'I'm pretty good at keeping secrets' I smiled at him.

'Do you like scary stories?

I smiled again, 'I love them.'

Jacob continued to tell me the story of the cold ones and how they lived here hundreds of years ago without harming any humans. They made a treaty with the Quileutes to stay off of their land and never harm a human in or around Forks or the reservation.

'How does this apply to the Cullens?' I asked, confused. 'Are they supposed to be like the cold ones from the story?'

'No.' He looked at me seriously, 'They're said to be the same ones.' I got goosebumps as he said that.

'Sorry.' He laughed 'I didn't mean to scare you, no wonder we aren't allowed to tell anyone these legends.'

'No, I'm alright,' I laughed back 'so what do you think about the stories?'

'I think that they're a bunch of superstitious natives. Some of them won't even go to Forks hospital now that Dr. Cullen is working there. Crazy, eh?' He laughed again.

It was very clear that Jacob didn't believe the legend at all, but I was not so easy to dismiss it. As we walked back to everyone we noticed that the sky had turned dark and it was just starting to spit.

'There you are Bella' Mike asked suspiciously looking from me to Jacob, 'we're heading out, it's starting to rain.' He said obviously.

I turned back to Jacob, 'Thanks for the stories, it was nice talking to you.'

'See you again sometime?' he asked hopefully.

'For sure!' I said as I put my number into his phone.

As I turned to leave I couldn't stop thinking about these cold ones and their similarities to the Cullens.

So I'm trying my best to quickly slog through all of the stuff we already know from Twilight but it will be awkward if I just skip it altogether. I can't wait for when I can write my own story… soon! Anyways, thanks to those of you that reviewed, it really motivates me to keep writing. If you want to give me some criticism or ideas for direction for the story let me know!